Local

2

"Wow how ironic. Kaya and I work together. But please join us for dinner. Do you mind Chris?"

"Nope, not at all. We're going to the bar and grill on the corner here. Please join,"

"Of course. We'll meet you guys there!" Kaya says before they walk out of the building.

"Damn Kristen, cat got your tongue?" Kaya looks at me and laughs.

"Stop it. I don't know if it's just because he's my boss but he makes me nervous."

"I see the way you drool when you look at him. You think he's fine. I don't blame you. He is one good looking white man. You might gotta go to the other side mam."

"So that's not his wife?"

"Pretty sure that's her younger brother. I saw her eying the mayor. Now come on let's go, I'm starving."

Siblings. Why didn't I think of that? Why was that such a relief?

Chris was very attractive but there was absolutely no way I could get with my boss. Plus he probably wasn't even attracted to me. I definitely wasn't his type. Hopefully dinner wasn't awkward. If it is, it's probably because of my social awkwardness.

I'm too old to be acting this way.

We arrive at the bar and grill. Leah was seated at a booth while Chris was at the bar ordering drinks. She waves us over with a smile.

Kaya and I sit down across from her. Chris comes back to the table with four glasses of wine. Impressive he didn't drop anything. I didn't drink often but I also wouldn't turn down a free drink.

"Thank you,"

"So that town hall was something else," Leah sighs sipping from her class.

"No, I completely agree. I mean it's crazy it was nearing the end of the town hall and he was gonna go all night without addressing those women." Kaya explained.

"I've been trying to tell Leah to be careful while she's on the dating scene. It's very crazy out here and Mom would kill me if anything happened to her," Chris eyes his sister.

"He's just being a protective little brother," She rolls her eyes emphasizing the word little.

"So where are you guys from?" He asks changing the topic.

"I'm from Richmond," Kaya says before tapping my thigh. I realize I hadn't said a word this entire time. I really needed to work on this.

"I'm from North Carolina. How about you guys?" I finally say. Did I sound weird saying that?

I take two big gulps from the glass.

"We're from Chesapeake. Not too far from here." Leah responds.

Leah and Kaya end up talking about work while we wait for the food we ordered.

"Kristen, do you know how to play pool?" He asks before pointing in the direction of the pool table.

"No," I say softly.

"Come on, I'll teach you." He finishes his glass and I follow him to the pool table.

I feel like I'm gonna make a complete fool of myself.